Grizzled Artists Have New Company

Artigras' Format Change Brings Local Works To Show

He has never visited the continent, but as a black artist born and raised in Palm Beach County, Burks said he draws inspiration from something that's always been inside of him. It's a vision that comes through in his art; richly detailed pencil drawings of trees with elongated roots and watercolor portraits of African wildlife.

"I can't always say where it comes from," said Burks, a West Palm Beach resident. "But this [is] how I feel. I paint from the heart."

Burks is not a professional artist, although he said he does well selling his art in local galleries. But Burks was among 10 local artists who benefited from a format change that allowed them to showcase their work this weekend at the popular, three-day ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival at the Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter.

In its 21st year, the ArtiGras festival featured 317 artists from 33 states and five countries, making it one of the largest and most respected annual arts festivals in the country. With 80-degree weather forecast throughout the event, organizers expect to draw about 100,000 visitors. A portion of the proceeds from ArtiGras will be distributed to schools throughout Palm Beach County for the enhancement of arts education. Officials donated nearly $60,000 to schools last year, said ArtiGras Executive Director Chip Scott.

"We're proud of what we've been able to contribute to local schools," Scott said. "This is a wonderful showcase for so many artists. But the whole idea is to be able to give something back to encourage more kids to take an interest in art."

By the end of the 1990s, the ArtiGras festival had become so large that it moved from the Palm Beach Gardens Mall to the Abacoa Town Center. But with last week's approval to build the Scripps Florida research institute at Florida Atlantic University's Abacoa campus, the long-term survival of the festival at this site remains uncertain, Scott said.

"We just don't know," Scott said. "Our plan is to be back here next year. But we'll have to wait and see."

With such staggering interest from artists throughout the country and the world, ArtiGras' organizers sought to carve a niche for local artists like Burks in this year's event and decided to allow them to participate. The group included such artists as Mickey Bowman of Jupiter, who began working with glass two years ago after the death of her son Shane, 25, in a motorcycle accident. On Sunday, she displayed intricate Celtic crosses and ocean-themed work to thousands of art enthusiasts.

"This is the biggest event I've ever been a part of," said Bowman, who attended the event several times as a patron. "I really feel fortunate to get the opportunity to come here. It's really just grown beautifully."

A few booths away, a short walk from the wine-tasting tent, Betty Wilson of West Palm Beach talked about her glass fusion pieces, a multilayered mix of glass and clay. She displayed colorful abstract faces and end tables.

"With money tight these days, I think most people are looking for something that's functional or decorative," said Wilson, who frequently shows her art at local festivals. "They've given us a great advantage in letting us be a part of this [festival]," Wilson said. "Even when it's slow, would I do it again? Definitely."

Joel Hood can be reached at jhood@sun-sentinel.com or 561-243-6611.

IF YOU GO

When: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. today

Where: Abacoa Town Center, Jupiter

Cost: $10 for adults; free for children 12 and younger

Highlights: 317 artists representing 33 states and five countries make this festival one of the largest in the United States. The event showcases an array of art from paintings and glasswork to ceramics and steel.